Denzel Washington’s Highest-Grossing Movie Will Soon Lose Its Number 1 Spot If This Dream Casting Actually Happens

Having made his acting debut in the 1970s, Denzel Washington has become one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood, but despite appearing in his highest-grossing movie yet in 2024, a rumored dream role would undoubtedly surpᴀss it. After appearing in countless incredible films, Gladiator II became Denzel Washington’s best-performing outing financially, as its $450+ million box office is the highest of his career. Washington may be one of the biggest names in the industry, but he rarely appears in mᴀssive franchises, hence his number of box office mega hits being a lot lower than expected.

The actor has still had plenty of financial successes, but it’s a huge surprise for a star of his quality not to have a movie grossing over $500 million. This could all be about to change though, as his name has been attached to a huge project, one Washington himself has even confirmed he’ll supposedly be a part of. Although nothing has been officially confirmed, Denzel Washington is expected to appear in Black Panther 3 after the actor mentioned a part is being written for him, and if he is involved, it should easily surpᴀss his current box office record.

Black Panther 3 Would Likely Become Denzel Washington’s Highest-Grossing Movie

The Two Previous Black Panther Movies Have Made Way More Than Gladiator II

Even if the third film performs worse than Wakanda Forever, it could make almost $400 million less than its predecessor and still become Washington’s highest-grossing project.

Therefore, with Washington revealing he’ll be a part of Black Panther 3, it’s all but guaranteed to overtake Gladiator II as his biggest box office hit. Even if the third film performs worse than Wakanda Forever, it could make almost $400 million less than its predecessor and still become Washington’s highest-grossing project. Additionally, the MCU has some big movies lined up in the coming years, and ᴀssuming the franchise regains some of its popularity, Black Panther 3 seems destined to be a certified hit, meaning the veteran actor should break his current record if he does feature.

How Gladiator II’s Box Office Compares To Denzel Washington’s Other Hit Movies

Gladiator II Is Washington’s Highest-Grossing Movie By A Pretty Large Distance

With Gladiator II becoming a financial hit, it is now Denzel Washington’s highest-grossing movie by quite some distance. American Gangster was his previous best box office outing, with the film making just shy of $270 million. Philadelphia and Safe House also made over $200 million, and these projects are the closest Washington has come to getting near Gladiator II‘s impressive worldwide total. A major reason for the veteran not having more box office juggernauts is he barely appears in sequels or established franchises, with The Equalizer being the most notable success, yet Washington helped build the cinematic trilogy from scratch.

All three installments of The Equalizer managed to surpᴀss the $190 million mark, proving Washington in a leading role is still a major draw. However, with his upcoming projects looking like they will follow the same tradition of his career, it may take something like Black Panther 3 to overcome Gladiator II and give him the box office giant he deserves. Still, regardless of how much money his films make, Denzel Washington continues to thrive with every new performance, and he’ll be remembered as one of the all-time greats, with or without the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Denzel Washington’s Highest-Grossing Movies

тιтle

Release Year

Worldwide Box Office Gross

Rotten Tomatoes Score

Washington’s Character

Director

Déjà Vu

2006

$180,557,550

56%

Douglas Carlin

Tony Scott

Inside Man

2006

$186,003,591

86%

Keith Frazier

Spike Lee

The Equalizer 2

2018

$190,400,157

52%

Robert McCall

Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer 3

2023

$191,067,560

76%

Robert McCall

Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer

2014

$192,330,738

61%

Robert McCall

Antoine Fuqua

The Pelican Brief

1993

$195,268,056

55%

Gray Grantham

Alan J. Pakula

Philadelphia

1994

$206,678,440

81%

Joe Miller

Jonathan Demme

Safe House

2012

$208,076,205

53%

Tobin Frost

Daniel Espinosa

American Gangster

2007

$269,755430

81%

Frank Lucas

Ridley Scott

Gladiator II

2024

$458,752,039

71%

Macrinus

Ridley Scott

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